Sweet Sisters and Cousins

In June, me and the girls went to my parents' house to spend about 5 days (?) with my sister and her girls who were visiting from out of state. Here are some pictures from our visit.

Trying to get the big girls to all sleep together. 

It didn't work unfortunately! The idea sounded good to them for a little while though!

Lala, Kaye, and Grace

Beautiful Grace. She has such a sweet personality, so fun and laid back. 

Grace and me looking at pictures on the camera. Grace is learning how to take pictures.

At one point we didn't know where Gloria went. Then we saw her quietly sitting on the rocking chair eating her grapes. She is independent yet needs physical affection to restore her. She is quiet unless she is tired, but she smiles and laughs so easily! 

Cowgirl Chloe (sitting next to Princess Grace)

This is the "castle" that my dad borrowed from a friend. It had never been outside so my dad felt he shouldn't use it outside either. He literally squeezed it into his living room. It barely fit!! But was a blast to use! I just wish we could have had it when Jude and Brennan were there!

Kaye, Lala and Chloe playing play-do. They played so well together the whole time.

Sweet Halle! 

She loves to giggle and smile! I really enjoyed hanging out with her and can't wait to see how her personality fits into all this craziness!

Chloe and Gloria, again, playing so well together.

Hannah and Halle

Do you see the size difference?!?! Hannah's only 8 months older than Halle but she is twice as big!

We really enjoyed cousin time (and sister time!)! The girls did very well together. I wish it hadn't ended so soon! We love you, Birdies!

The WHOLE Gang (minus Matt)

In the beginning of June, the girls and I went to my parents house where all of my sisters and their families already were. We had an excellent first few days with all the kids together; they entertained each other well and played very nicely. They have a tipping point though and right now it's at about 3 days; at least it is for Chloe. 

Anyway, we had lots of fun watching and listening to the older kids, Jude, Grace and Chloe, interact. It was especially rewarding to watch a sweet interaction between them such as sharing a toy or doing something for another or taking turns without an adult doing any prompting. 

The big kids at the pool. Thanks for the picture, Sally!

Kaye's girls have tu-tu's so they shared them with my girls. Grace wore hers ALL the time, non-stop. She is truly a little princess.  

Gracie in her princess pj's, tutu and awesome tights!!

oh, of course her tiara!

You can tell Hannah is not so used to the frilly stuff. Look at that look on her face!

Who does she look like? Is it Shera or Wonder Woman? I think she is just trying to be a Super Sleuth from Tigger and Pooh!

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One evening we spent outside playing with rocket balloons that Uncle Jon bought for the kids. You blow them up and then let them go and they shoot into the air; where they fall, no one can know. Many of them landed in the neighbor's yard behind us so Aunt Amy went to rescue them. I don't think she knows I caught a picture of her doing this. She is just proving she is still so much of a kid at heart!

Grace sharing with Hannah

Part of that afternoon was spent racing. The big kids went back and forth, back and forth over and over again. Jude would say, "On your mark, on your mark, on your mark, Go!" I have it all on video but it won't upload to the blog. It was a lot of fun and used a lot of energy! 

Uncle Jon felt the little ones were missing out on the fun!

And there goes Lala with Aunt A

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The five of us girls, or should I say Women, were able to go out for an afternoon together while the babies slept. We had a sweet treat at Le Madeleine's and then went to Charming Charlie's to find some "stuff." Thanks, Mom, for the treat!!

Amy, Kaye, Sally, and Me with Hannah-banana. 

We were actually cracking up because Amy had set the camera up on a timer so that no one would have to come take the picture for us. But that attempt failed when Scott jumped in front of the camera and we got a nice picture of his butt. To avoid any more hassle (thanks, Scott), Ken, Amy's boyfriend, picked up the camera to take the picture but we'd forgotten to take it off the timer setting. We sat there for 10 seconds smiling and trying not to laugh before it would take the picture again. I know that story's not funny to anyone else, but we were really trying hard not to laugh. 

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My Momma, aka Grammie, aka a great cook

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Pops always has a kid or two on his back or in his arms. 

Hannah really liked spending time with Aunt A. 

In fact, all the kids love her to death!

I got to spend sweet time feeding little Halle (rhymes with Sally), my newest niece. 

She is so tiny! But I'll have to say she was very well behaved. :)

Jude is definitely all boy but he has such a sweet, caring, and sensitive side that will win him a great girl someday!! After we took the big girls out one morning, we came back and Jude runs up to them and says, "I'm so glad to see you!" Then, he puts his hands on Grace's cheeks and calls her "Sweet darlin". :) What a great kid!

Dear Gloria... she always has at least one shoe on. The girl loves shoes!

I am so glad these girls love each other. Chloe went with Sally and Jon the night before Hannah and I went. I was told that when Grace saw Chloe, she ran to her and gave her a BIG hug!

Thanks, Grammie and Pops, for letting us invade your house! It was so much fun to be with everyone again!

Eight is not Enough

Sometimes, I take you for granted. Sometimes, I speak to you as if you'll always love me, always be there for me, as if your feelings don't matter, but only mine do. Sometimes, I serve you only grudgingly as if it is an annoyance rather than a pleasure, a sacrifice rather than a blessing. Sometimes, I forget to be thankful for or recognize how hard you work to provide for our family without complaint, how PRESENT you are as a father and husband, how sensitive you are to my emotional ups and downs. Sometimes, I can't believe that I actually get to have you as my own, that you actually want to be committed to me for as long as we both shall live, that it's not just out of obligation to our vows but also out of desire for me.

...but you remind me everyday, you tell me everyday, you prove to me everyday how unceasingly and unconditionally, how steadfast and long-suffering, how confident you are in and how thoroughly you love me. It is through and through; not an ounce of me doubts it. Your love heals me and protects me; it carries me when I am down and takes my load when it is too heavy. I know it comes from the very deepest part of you. You have taught me of a greater Love even without you knowing it or pursuing it because It is such a part of you.

Eight years is NOT enough. I thank the Lord for every moment with you. I thank you for spending your extra moments with me. You bless me just with your presence. I am excited about the next 8 or 50 more! 

Happy Anniversary, dear Love!

I love you!

Mother's Day, a curly head and more...

I rarely ever get pictures with my girls, it seems. We were just sitting outside waiting for Daddy to finish mowing the lawn. I'm glad he ran in to get the camera. I love you, Chloe and Hannah!

Chloe LOVES to play cars! She asks to play almost every day and she picked out cars as her new toy with Gramma at the store the other day rather than anything else. But don't think she's too much of a tomboy yet... Daddy had to wear the pretty pink hat in order to play with her. :)

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My Mom had had a hard week before Mother's Day so we went to surprise her spur-of-the-moment and showed up at her house 11pm Friday night. My dad knew we were coming, but she had no clue. I hope she didn't have plans for a nice relaxing weekend! ;) Here are some pictures of our time there. Unfortunately, she and I didn't get any pictures together. 

Grammie, Chloe and Pops (the angel)

Doesn't Grammie just look beautiful in this picture?

I wish Hannah had made it into this picture, but she was sleeping.

Hannah's hair is even more curly than Chloe's was and it seems to be growing up, all on top of her head.

This is Hannah's goofy face that she makes when she gets excited. While she makes it she breathes really quickly in and out of her nose so you can hear it. I really need to catch it on video. It occurs multiple times a day and just makes me laugh every time!

Enjoying breakfast together. 

Reading a book before bed time with Daddy. Reading with Dad is one of Chloe's favorite things to do. 

Chloe wants to do whatever Hannah gets to do so she wanted to wear Hannah's hat. Silly goose, it doesn't even fit!

Ways they make me laugh...

I am sorry I haven't written a good update in a while. I just have so many little things to say but not any huge long story, the list keeps getting longer and longer and more overwhelming. 

I'll start with Chloe...

I LOVE having a two year old!! Yes, she is obstinate, incredibly independent and loves her personal space. But she is so quick to catch on to everything! She is very observant and not quick to speak. Chloe loves to dance and is learning to sing. She is also still in love with Bob and Larry from Veggie Tales. She has become so considerate and caring and always has her own opinion (imagine that!). The other day I was leaving to go out and she looked at me and said with excitement, "I love your green shirt, Mama! You look so pretty!"

Chloe is so sweet to her sister. She shares her goldfish with Hannah so that i don't have to keep reaching over the stroller to give Hannah her snack. They give each other hugs and kisses. They stay up in their room playing and entertaining each other when they should be going to sleep. :) She is also a 2 year old though and has her moments of selfishness and greed. She is big on personal space so it is taking some time for her to actually want Hannah around to play with toys and such. She doesn't like it if Hannah touches her. But she's getting better about that.

Saturday was Matt's birthday, but I hadn't made cards yet with the girls as of Saturday morning. While I was out on a run, Chloe went and found a card that Amy had written to me. Matt saw her go get her box of crayons and take the card into the guest room so that she could decorate the card in secret. She came out and brought the card covered in blue crayon to Matt and said, "Happy Birthday, Daddy!" She did this totally unprompted. She has such a sweet heart and loves her daddy sooooo much! 

Every weekend, Matt and Chloe have a special date together and go to the library to pick out books to bring home and read that week. Chloe looks forward to it all week long and is so excited to spend alone time with Daddy. Sometimes, they go eat Subway afterwards or run some errands together too. We have found it is something she needs. When she doesn't get quality time with him, she gives him the cold shoulder... really! She won't give him hugs or kisses and she very obviously prefers me to him which it is usually the other way around. For a week we couldn't figure out why the sudden change, then we looked back at how late Matt had been working and how he'd been gone on the weekend as well. Chloe is very much like me in that way. 

Chloe is speaking pretty well, but she has some words she can't say of course. We have fun with that, although I probably shouldn't admit that. ;) Matt has been trying to correct her when she says a word wrong, but I'm not so strict about it. I love it when she says "oakameal" instead of oatmeal or "shuggle" instead of "shovel." Pretty soon you find yourself saying it the exact same way. :) 

Hannah is hilarious; she has a very happy heart! She smiles so easily and is very cuddly. She has this funny face she makes that I can't help but laugh at! I need to get it on video. Within the past few weeks, she has started rejecting baby food and will only eat "big-people" food; she pulls herself up to standing; she drinks from a sippy cup mostly by herself, and she says, "Da! Da! Da!" very excitedly and does a little dance when she sees Matt. :) She loves her daddy too! 

I am starting to wean my sweet little baby, which I have very mixed emotions about. The girls are staying with my parents in July for about 5 days while Matt and I go to San Francisco. I am so excited about the freedom, but I hate the idea that I won't have an excuse any more to just sit and do nothing while I cuddle my little cuddle bug and provide for her needs from my own being. Neither of us are quite ready for it so I am trying not to push it. But I also want to honor Matt by doing it in time for SF. In my mind, having Hannah weaned in time for this trip will show Matt that I am first his, then theirs. 

I have been very bad about taking pictures lately (I took a total of 2 on Friday at our first trip to Seaworld ... 2!! I am so mad at myself!), so I am going to be more intentional about it now. I'll add some more when I have more. 

Love to you all!

Thank You, Jesus!

Matt and Hannah

Do you see a resemblance?